Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Cleveland
Let's change the world for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Saturday, May 2, 2026
8:00 AM | Cleveland, OH
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this year’s Friendship Walk! Through your amazing efforts, we raised vital funds and awareness to sustain and expand our local Best Buddies programs. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s event. With your support, our mission of friendship and inclusion is stronger than ever!
The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading event in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Join more than 50,000 participants at 80 events across the globe to support the Best Buddies programs in schools, workplaces, and communities. You’ll be making the world more welcoming to people with IDD — one friendship, one job, and one life-changing connection at a time.
See More Event Details
Event Schedule & Information
We will walk rain or shine so be sure to plan accordingly based on weather. Don’t forget sunscreen, umbrellas, jackets, hats, and refillable water bottles.
Directions: Google Maps
Check-in: 8:00 AM Please arrive on time as registration will close at 8:45 AM. If you arrive after 8:45 AM, you must wait until the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo opens at 10:00 AM and pay full admission for the day. If you are wearing the Friendship Walk T-shirt, you can bypass registration and go to the table to get your Zoo wristband.
Opening Ceremonies: 8:45 AM outside the Palava Hut.
Walk Begins: 9:15 AM Take the walk path as you like it. This is not a timed event, and we want you to fully enjoy all the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has to offer!
Entertainment
Until 11:00 AM *Best Buddies staff will remain at the Palava Hut until 11:00 AM, but please enjoy the Zoo!
Parking
Parking is Free. The Lion Lot will be CLOSED due to construction. Please follow signs for guests with accessibility needs. Be sure to have a visible placard posted on your windshield. Accessible parking spaces are visually identified. Other parking lot names are Stork, Otter, Tiger, and Bear. Busses should use the Otter parking lot for drop-off and pick-up.
Accessibility Info
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is dedicated to providing a positive and inclusive guest experience. Please use the information at this link to help make your Zoo visit safe, enjoyable, and memorable: CLICK HERE
Pets
Although we love your furry friends, the venue does not allow pets. Credentialed service animals only. Please note that there are some areas of the Zoo that do not allow service animals.
Activities (Located Inside the Palava Hut)
Poster making station, friendship bracelet making, and dancing at the DJ booth! Graduating seniors who are members of an official Best Buddies Friendship Chapter should pick up their graduation cords at the mission table! Meet & Greet with Superheroes to Kids in Ohio and Funshine Bear from the Care Bears family.
Food & Drink
Dasani water provided by Coca-Cola, Uncrustables provided by The J.M. Smucker Co., Muffins provided by Boundless Health, and Fruit & Granola Bars provided by Whole Foods in Rocky River.
RAFFLE!!!
We have 3 exciting prizes to raffle off. 1st) Four (4) Tickets to a 2026 Cleveland Guardians game, 2nd) Four (4) General Admission Passes to the Great Lakes Science Center, 3) a Gift Basket from T3 Performance in Avon. Tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25 or 10 for $50. You can purchase tickets in advance at https://e.givesmart.com/s/:T_2KkFaQ_el/e/O0g/
There is Still Time…
Raise or Donate $50 before walk day, and you’ll score the awesome Friendship Walk T-shirt to wear with pride that you can collect at registration! You’ve got this! 🔥
Schedule
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Check-in: 8:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 8:45 AM
Walk: 9:15 AM
Celebrate Until: 11:00 AM
Venue does not allow pets -credentialed service animals only.
Location
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
3900 Wildlife Way
Cleveland, OH 44109
Walk Route
Approximately 1 mile
Event Contact
Mission Movers – Top Fundraisers
Fundraising Rankings
Going the extra mile for Best Buddies.
Below are the rankings of the top 100 individuals and teams for this year’s event.
Supporting Local Programs
Funds raised through the Friendship Walk benefits Best Buddies – the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
We Love Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
G.R. Lincoln Family Foundation
Castele Family Foundation
For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact:
LynneSchroeder@bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies in Ohio
PO Box 45353
Westlake, OH 44145
Frequently Asked Questions
Every person who raises $50 or more will receive the official Best Buddies Friendship Walk t-shirt on walk day. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting a more inclusive world and going the extra mile! Want to make sure you receive this year’s shirt? Get registered and start fundraising today!
First things first: Thank you! Your donation will count toward your child’s fundraising total, so they will be the one who earns the t-shirt. Want to make sure you receive one? Register to walk alongside them, make a donation of $50 or more, and the shirt is all yours on walk day!
We do! Simply bring it with you to the walk or contact your local Best Buddies office. Online donations are the easiest and safest, most secure way to give to Best Buddies, but either way — you’re making a difference!
Absolutely! Volunteers are vital to the success of the Friendship Walk, whether it’s assisting with event planning, day-of support, and more. Want to sign up to volunteer? Contact your local Best Buddies staff member — scroll up on the page one section to find more information!
Service animals are always welcome at the Friendship Walk! However, the allowance of other pets depends on the specific venue. For more information regarding bringing non-service animals, please reach out to your local Best Buddies staff member.
Best Buddies does not sell, share, or rent personal information collected through our website’s registration or donation forms. For more information, visit bestbuddies.org/privacy-policy